STATE CHAMPS

On his 11th birthday, Matthew K. stole home in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the 9/10 All-Stars from SunCreek LL the State Championship over District 2 representative Reynolds LL this morning in Adams, Oregon. The teams needed an extra inning of baseball to decide the winner, with home-team SunCreek coming out on top in dramatic fashion, 6-5.

Starting pitcher Zach L. held Reynolds hitless in the top of the 1st inning, striking out two. SunCreek continued their streak of scoring in the first inning when Jason S. singled and later stole home on a passed ball. End of 1st inning, 1-0.

In the top of the 2nd inning, three-up, three-down, as Zach L. recorded two more strikeouts and a ground out to Jason at second base. SunCreek's Kyle C. was left stranded on the bases in the bottom half of the inning after a leadoff walk. End of 2nd inning, 1-0.

Zach L. recorded two more strike-outs in the top of the 3rd inning and Reynolds was again scoreless. SunCreek put another run on the board when Matthew stole home on a passed ball after getting on base with an infield single. Paul B. stroked a long fly ball to leftfield, but it was caught for the third out of the inning. End of three innings, 2-0, SunCreek LL leading.

Reynolds got on the board in the top of the fourth inning in spite of catcher Jake N. recording TWO pop outs! Two singles and an error in the inning allowed Justin D. to cross home-plate for the District 2 champs. In SunCreek's at-bats, Zach L. led off with a single between 1st and 2nd base. Adam J. stroked a single up the middle, and Cole H. singled to score Kyle C. who was pinch-running for Zach L. Adam stole home on a passed ball and at the end of four innings, 4-1, SunCreek.

In the top of the fifth inning, Reynolds tied the game with three runs, starting with a triple to left field. After a great catch by Evan I., three straight singles brought the score to 4-4. The Reynolds pitcher, Grady W. then proceeded to strike out all three SunCreek hitters. End of five innings, 4-4.

The quick sixth inning, with tight defense and strong pitching on both sides, ended the game in a 4-4 tie.

In the seventh inning, Jason S. came on to pitch for SunCreek. After getting the first batter to ground out and the second batter to strike out, two walks and a single gave Reynolds the go-ahead run. Jake N. recorded the third out with a tough throw to first base after fielding a dribbler in front of the plate.

Reynolds brought in their new pitcher, lefthander Abraham B., in the bottom of the seventh inning. Zach G. walked and Matthew K's beautiful bunt, and subsequent Reynolds overthrow, allowed Zach G. to score the tying run. Jason also bunted safe and moved Matthew to third. With Mitch M. in the batters box, Matthew raced home on a passed ball and gave SunCreek LL its first State Championship!

Congratulations to the team, coaches and parents who enjoyed a week-long tournament in the Pendleton area and came out undefeated! Great job, boys!